Writing sign



Nov. 26, 1929. T. PEARSON ET AL WRITING SIGN Filed April 9. 1928 frwenzoro' m r M r Patented Nov. 26, 1929.

THOMAS PEARSON AND HABRY E. GARBER, 0]? LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA WRITING SIGN.

Application filed April 9, 1928. Serial No. 268,737.

The present invention'pertains to improve.- ments in what is known in the particular art as writing signs,'and which usually consists in providing means for the successive illumi-' nation of figures forming a word, or words, of a sign, to the end that this means of illumination will resemble the actual motion of legible writing.

" in the-inner tube.

The present invention aims to improve upon these types of signs, and consists briefly of providing an elongated or continuous tube of transparent material, shaped to form the letters of a word in the usual manner. Such tube construction as this is at present being employed in the construction of neon gas illuminated signs, but the present invention goes further in providing a tube of smaller diameter than the first-mentioned tube for disposition through said enlarged tube, and in spaced relation through the latter.

The smaller tube is adapted to contain a suitable illuminary means, such for instance, as neon gas, other illuminating ases, and any suitable form of incandescent ament.

A suitable material such as liquid of substantially opaque density is normally adapted to fill the entire space between the outer and inner tubes, and when it is desired to actuate the sign, the opaque material is slowly forced through the space so as to gradually expose the illuminated element, with- The prime object of this invention is to provide a sign of the above character which will resemble inallrespects a natural writing motion without the expense of providing complex structures and systems now being em loyed.

ertain other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the same'is better understood from the following specification and claims.

' In the drawings Figure 1 represents a fragmentary portion of a transparent tube employed in .the formation of a writing sign, this figure also being partly sectional and disclosing the inner tube arranged therein and in spaced relation thereto, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the ar rangement disclosed in Fig? 1, and taken substantially on line 2-2 of igure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of "the novel structure and the means for forcing the liquid through the transparent tube.

Now for a more specific description ofthe present invention, reference is made to the drawing, wherein like numerals designate like parts. In carrying out the present in vention, an exterior tube 1 of suitable diameter, and ofsufficient length to form a predetermined number of figures of desired size, is provided, and adaptedto have arranged therein, a smaller tube2, disposed in concentric relation with the outer tube 1 and in spaced relation, as shown in the drawings, to

provide a passageway 3, for the purpose hereinafter fully described.

It is preferred that the tubes be arranged in the manner aforementioned, and supported in any suitable manner, so that a liquid of substantially opaque density, may be injected into the space 3, and adapted to normally fill the entire space throughout the length -of the tubes, in order to completely conceal the inner tube 2.

As is disclosed in Figure 3, the ends of the tube 1 are connected to a suitable pump A, so 1 that the liquid 4 may be forced in a circuit through the tube from the pump and again back to the pump. The wires 5-5 indicate conductors which are adapted to produce an electrical discharge within the tube 2, whereby the gas therein will be illuminated in the usual manner, this gas being preferably neon or any other gas having substantially the same properties. A column of air or sultable transparent liquidthat will not mix with the opaque fluid is interposed between the ends of the, opaque fluid column, so that a complete circuit: will be provided, and against which the pump may act. The transparent liquid is denoted in the drawings by numeral 6;

When the liquid in the space 3 is completely concealing the illuminary element conduit 2, and preferably inert, so as not to reveal any portion of said conduit, the Sign is dark and is not readily visible at nig t. However, when it is desired to operate the sign, suitable pressure is applied at the prime end of the tube,

gpened, so as to allow the drain of fluid thererom.

Obviously, as the end of the liquid moves along the tube, the inner tube 2 will be gradually exposed. The constantly lighted tube 2, as the liquid gradually exposes the same, simulates the natural writing motion in spelling the various words of the sign.

It is to be understood that suitable supporting means and other features may be employed, which form no part of this invention, and that any desired case A or materials may be employed in the manufacture of the present invention, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. In a writing sign comprising an elongated tube bent to form intelligent matter, an opaque liquid disposed within said tube, an elongated illuminary structure disposed longitudinally through the tube, and means for forcing said fluid through the tube to gradually expose said illuminary structure.

2. In a writing sign comprising an elongated tube bent to form intelligent matter, a tube disposed longitudinally to the first mentioned tube and in spaced relation thereto, illuminary means arranged within the innerktube, an opaque liquid for disposition within the first mentioned tube, and means for forcing said liquid through the outer tube to gradually expose the inner tube.

3. In a writing sign comprising an elongated transparent tube bent to form intelligent matter, a predetermined quantitv of opaque liquid for disposition within said tube, illuminary means disposed through said tube in spaced relation in the same, and means for forcing the liquid through the tube to gradually expose the said illuminary means.

In a writing sign comprising an elongated transparent tube bent to form intelligent matter, a hollow member disposed through the said tube in which suitable illuminarymeansmaybe disposed, and a quantity of opaque liquid disposed within the said tube and means for forcing the same through the tube to gradually expose the said hollow member.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures. 4

HARRY E. GARBER. THOMAS PEARSON.

and the opposite end of the tube 

